For most DC folks, a weekend away to another city means a trip to NYC. We’ve done that numerous times so decided to change things up and head to Philadelphia instead.We stayed at The Windsor Suites, which is part of the Modus group of hotels. I have previously confessed my love for Modus Hotels when The Quincy in DC, which has since been sold, was a part of the Modus family. Further cementing that love was my recent experience at The Windsor Suites.

Although it's been over 3 years since we went on an epic trip to Kenya, we still talk about it on a regular basis and are ready to go back there in a heartbeat! That trip was filled with many unforgettable experiences, with a highlight being our 3 day safari in Maasai Mara National Park. It's hard to explain what an amazing experience it truly is so I'll just share some photos with you instead.

During my recent stay at the Fairmont Washington, I learned of their rooftop honeybee hives, from which they harvest honey to use. This is not the hotel’s first foray into sustainable farming – their beautiful courtyard is already home to fresh herbs and edible flowers that are used in the hotel’s culinary programs and at the Juniper restaurant. A few years back, as the Fairmont looked into new and creative ways to enhance their sustainability program, the honeybee program was initiated and is now being done in many different Fairmont properties across the country and internationally.

For most of us, a true escape from daily life is all the luxury we need, and this can come in many shapes and ways. And this is why I loved getting the chance to spend a night at the Fairmont Washington hotel recently, as it allowed me to enjoy the city as a visitor instead of a resident – I could escape reality without leaving the city I call home!

From Uros, we spent about 3 hours on the water going to Amantani Island. On this ride is when you get an appreciation for the size of the lake and the gorgeous water! It was a beautiful morning and (thankfully) the water was not choppy at all – perfect for getting some sun and then a nap before reaching Amantani island for our overnight stay.

When planning a trip to Peru, Lake Titicaca is not always at the top of one’s priority list. Peru normally brings images of Machu Picchu or the Nazca lines, but the lake definitely deserves to be right up there! The lake is the highest navigable (by commercial craft) lake in the world – at 12,500 feet above sea level, and is the largest in South America, at over 8000 square kilometers. Sitting at the border between Peru and Bolivia, we started our exploration of the lake from the commercialized port city of Puno in Peru.

The Mayflower is one of the most historic hotels in DC – it has been home to Presidential Inaugural balls, the spot for the power lunches of power lunches, scandal and gossip, and is known as DC’s “second best address” (the first being the White House, of course). But it is also known for something else – BANANA BREAD. Yep, the hotel has been making banana bread since the 1950’s and it has become one of the hotel’s signature items, used in the hotel’s turn down amenities, served in the hotel’s Edgar restaurant, and even as dessert at many weddings in the hotel!

Barranco is Lima’s bohemian, funky neighborhood. It is artsy, creative, laid back, trendy, and mostly non-touristy, which made me love it even though we spent less than 24 hours here. Read on for ideas on how to spend 24 hours in this neighborhood.

My friends and I have this New Year tradition where we jet off to someplace warm after Christmas, bring in the New Year together, and then get back to routine. Come September/October, talk starts again as to where we are headed that year. Over the last few years we have been to Miami, Key West, Mexico, Honduras, and this year we landed on Bermuda.

Turkish coffee and tea are well known for their robust flavors, and the preparation and consumption of coffee and tea are both integral to Turkish culture and daily life. After enjoying a fantastic brunch at Turkish restaurant Ankara with endless cups of tea, and a cup of strong Turkish coffee complete with fortune reading, I was curious to learn more about the importance of coffee/tea in Turkish culture. I sat with Erin Gorman (co-owner along with her husband Utku Aslanturk), to learn a bit more about this …over a cup of tea, of course!